7 May 2020

New podcast: The battle to save my only eye

AMD

In our latest podcast, we speak to Professor Gilmartin and Mr Kam Balaggan, Consultant Ophthalmologist, about the battle to save his remaining vision.

“It’s been a rollercoaster…I’ve been up and down but one positive is the care and attention I’ve received. Some of the pay back is the new thinking and approaches that have come from my experience, which will be valuable in the long-term.”

Professor Bernard Gilmartin FCOptom has very severe macular degeneration which resulted in a loss of vision in one eye, and threatens his vision in the other. He has undergone a prolonged and challenging battle involving extensive surgery, in an attempt to save the vision in his only eye. 

In our latest podcast we speak to Professor Gilmartin and Mr Kam Balaggan, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Wolverhampton and Midland Counties Eye Infirmary. Professor Gilmartin first captured the hearts of optometrists - many of whom he taught at university - at our conference in 2018, where he spoke candidly about his experience and Mr Balaggan's heroic efforts to save the vision in his remaining eye.

Our podcast series covers the latest in eye care, including gene therapy, ocular allergy and AMD. Download and listen now, just search ‘The College of Optometrists’ wherever you get your podcasts.

Related further reading

Mike Horler FCOptom presents current treatment strategies for late wet AMD, diabetic oedema and branch vein occlusion.

AMD

As age-related macular degeneration progresses, part of the visual cortex starts to atrophy. But which way does the causal relationship work, asks Kim Thomas, and what does it mean for treatments focused on the retina if the brain has entered an irreversible decline?

The effort, cost and logistics of managing treatment for eye conditions can have a big impact on patients’ quality of life. What can be done to minimise their treatment burden?